Flat Lens Package
Advanced Simulation of Diffractive and Meta Lenses
The Flat Lens Package provides advanced tools for simulating functional metasurfaces and diffractive optical elements within VirtualLab Fusion.
Flat Lenses – A Modern Approach to Optical Design
Flat lenses are thin optical elements designed to replicate the functionality of traditional lenses. Unlike conventional lenses, which rely on curved surfaces to shape wavefronts, flat lenses achieve similar effects through engineered surface structures. The Flat Lens Package in VirtualLab Fusion addresses two key challenges: mathematically defining the required phase transformations and physically implementing them as precise surface structures.
Seamless Integration into Optical System Simulations
Extending a VirtualLab Fusion (VLF) license with the Flat Lens Package unlocks specialized components and simulation models for flat lens design, including diffractive lenses, holographic optical elements (HOEs), and metalenses. These components can be freely positioned within the optical setup, with fully integrated simulation in the overall system analysis.
Diffractive Lenses and HOEs
Diffractive lenses and HOEs are typically characterized by a smooth phase response, which can be defined using a rotationally symmetric polynomial (similar to a binary 2 surface in Zemax) or fully customized through user-defined formulas. These components are analyzed using the local linear grating approximation (LLGA), enabling evaluation in both functional and structural implementations.
Structural Implementation
When using the structural implementation, the smooth phase response is automatically converted into a local grating structure. The local response is then computed using either the Thin Element Approximation (TEA) or the rigorous Fourier Modal Method (FMM), depending on the grating period. The LLGA approach provides not only an analysis of nominal optical performance but also an assessment of stray light effects within the optical system.
Fabrication Data Export
To support manufacturing processes, the Flat Lens Package includes advanced fabrication export for diffractive lenses and HOEs, with output formats such as CIF and GDSII for direct machine processing.
Meta Lenses
The Flat Lens Package currently supports meta lenses through an idealized model based on the response of rotated nano-fin structures. As research in this field continues, VirtualLab Fusion will expand its capabilities with more advanced meta-lens models, ensuring that the package remains aligned with the latest developments in flat lens technology.
A Comprehensive Solution for Flat Lens Design
With its powerful simulation tools and continuous development, the Flat Lens Package provides an essential solution for cutting-edge lens design, bridging the gap between theoretical modeling and real-world implementation.
Selected Use Cases
Tutorial
Diffractive Lens Component
Use Case
Design and Analysis of Intraocular Diffractive Lens
Use Case